Nick Willard’s Blueprint for Scaling Versys Group and Leading with Purpose

You still remember that feeling when you knew you weren’t just built for a 9‑to‑5. That gut pull. That restlessness. That was where this conversation actually starts—right there in the tension between stability and bigger ambition. Entrepreneurship, business advice, and motivation don’t start with polished plans. They start with hard choices, curiosity, and the drive for financial freedom. Then it becomes real. Nick Willard grew up in the trades at age 13 and spent 30+ years building real‑world skill in electrical and instrumentation work before he ever thought about founding his own company. Today, he runs Versys Group, a technical services business built on team strength, strategic leadership, and a commitment to meaningful impact that extends far beyond profit. Together with host Trevor Muir, they dive into entrepreneur mindset, founder stories, and CEO interview insights—covering the choice to leave security, the trials of leadership, the culture that actually makes businesses work, and startup advice, leadership skills, and business strategy for building a life around what matters most without burning out. Nick Willard is the founder and CEO of Versys Group, a Calgary‑based industrial commissioning and technical services company delivering electrical, instrumentation, and mechanical solutions with ISO‑aligned quality systems across North America. Before leading Versys, Nick spent three decades in the energy sector, progressing from trades apprenticeship into leadership with deep field experience and a focus on building people‑first teams. Chapters: 0:00 – The feeling you know you’re meant for more than the usual path 3:30 – Why franchising like Booster Juice was a shortcut to business lessons 7:15 – Handling staff turnover and tough decisions at 21 11:00 – How leadership culture shapes teams that win 15:02 – Creating flexibility as a CEO so you can actually live life 19:40 – Turning personal challenges into community impact 25:10 – Why setting big goals is table stakes for growth Connect with Nick Willard: Website: https://www.versysgroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-willard-69419930 Connect with Trevor Muir: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-muir About The Lean Into Lead Podcast: Where real people share real leadership lessons for real life and real businesses. Conversations built for people who want to lead with clarity, strength, and heart. Powered by NXC Podcast Network #thenxcpodcastnetwork #leanintolead #businessadvice #entrepreneurmindset #successstories #ceointerview #leadershipskills